Study Reveals That Women Are Given A Harder Time During Job Interviews

Being interviewed for a new job is always a nerve-wracking experience. There’s the stress of making a great first impression and answering the questions correctly. All while keeping calm and poised in front of a group of strangers in an entirely new place.

However, a new study has suggested that women are given a tougher time in job interviews. As well as being interrupted more than men.

The study which was published in the Journal of Social Sciences analysed job interviews at two American Universities – over a two year period. They found hiring panel questioned women more and for longer. This more intensive questioning also lead to candidates being more likely to rush or panic during their presentations.

The results found that there’s a “prove it again” attitude towards women.

Women interrupted more

On average, interviewers interrupted women five times. Meanwhile, interviewers interrupted men an average of four times. Interviewers also asked women two more follow up questions with a total of 17 questions. This adds up to at least three more questions than their male counterparts.

“Even shortlisted women with impressive CVs may still be assumed to be less confident”, the report stated.

The research is interesting because it shows even though there have been recent trends in Universities suggesting women are outnumbering men in university courses there are still barriers women face when it comes to the work force.

Researchers added they had found a link between the number of questions women faced and their tendency to rush more. With women having to spend longer explaining themselves they end up with less time on their own presentations which affected the overall quality.

The report suggests these results in job interviews may be the result of conscious and unconscious bias. These biases are also listed as causes in the gender pay gap . In 2016 the gender pay gap in New Zealand stood at 12 percent.

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